Swarthmore College Accused Of Not Handling Sexual Assaults On Campus Properly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Swarthmore College has had one complaint filed against it involving lack of response to sexual assaults on campus, now another one will be filed for failing to comply with Title IX.

Advocates have testimony from 22 victims who said their reports of assault were ignored by the college.

Sophomores Mia Ferguson and Hope Brinn filed one complaint last week with the US Department of Education charging Swarthmore with violating the Clery Act, which act calls on colleges to accurately report sexual assaults and murders. Now a second complaint is being filed with the Department’s Office of Civil Rights under Title IX.

Ferguson says the college is not responding.

“They’ve heard of sexual assault cases, they’ve heard that the same perpetrator is endangering the student over and over again, and they haven’t taken action against those perpetrators, and they’ve also suggested many things like mediating between victims and perpetrators in sexual assault cases which is also against Title XI law.”

Listen to interview:

College President Rebecca Chopp responded in an email, saying sexual violence is totally unacceptable. But she added these allegations are troubling. and an independent external review of issues surrounding sexual misconduct will be conducted.

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